I spent a few months not watching tv when all of a sudden my choice of shows changed. I started watching survival shows about Alaska. Then Christmas came and I was watching the Hallmark Channel and Christmas shows. Alas, Christmas is over and there was nothing to watch tonight! I started watching shows I'd never seen before, The Legend of Mick Dodge and Pioneers on the National Geographic Channel. Add to that a book I just bought, My Prairie Cookbook by Melissa Gilbert from the "Little House on the Prairie" series.
It had me thinking "Why the interest in this survival stuff?" Here I sat knitting a baby hat for my neighbor. A candle was softly glowing in the background and watching this Pioneer show. I am caught between 2 worlds. The one world enables me to watch tv, type on this laptop, enjoy my electric stove and fridge. Our throw away world.
Then there is the other world -- the one that enjoys the simple pleasures of working with my hands and being creative through sewing, cooking, knitting, housekeeping. There is the part of me mesmerized by flame/fire. I loved the Little House series of children's books and I still read them now. The Long Winter helps me appreciate my modern conveniences and 18 degrees outside is not bad when you can come into a warm home.
Back to answering the question I posed to myself, it was answered on the tv show. Mick Dodge was escaping from the real world! On Pioneers they were depending on their primal instincts. Their final determination was the faith in God to bring them through. Both shows were about resourcefulness!
I want parts of my modern world but it is important to ground myself in the every day part of living.
I can do it in many ways -- cooking simple comfort food my grandma would make, wearing the apron with pride. I can meditate with the flame of a candle and make the world slow down. I can create things for others and my home, to bring back quiet pastimes, the satisfaction of repairing and using my available resources. I can be thankful for what I have. I can, I can, I can!
What slows you down and helps you appreciate the everyday???
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Saturday, December 27, 2014
HOMEMADE TURKEY SOUP AND OTHER SIMPLE PLEASURES
In the last 8 months I have encountered many epiphanies and adventures. I've started posts but never published them until tonight! Tonight is special in a very different way and it started Christmas Eve.
Leon fixed a PreChristmas dinner of turkey, dressing, cranberry relish (my favorite), potatoes, and of course pumpkin pie. You have to understand that this is a small endeavor compared to his feasts in the past. Anyway, I asked for the broth from the turkey and the dark meat (again my favorite) but had no idea what I would do with them.
For the last few days I have cruised Pinterest and finally decided it would be a soup. Now I have only made soup once in my life, French Onion and a total disaster! The other points of interest were the dull rainy day, reading a health magazine and posting to a new Pinterest board called Goals for 2015.
I had stayed in a Bah Humbug mood long enough and decided some action was needed. It was dusk and very dreary but my mood instantly changed when I entered Barnes and Noble for a book on dieting inspiration. Lights were bright, people were laughing and the slight scent of coffee/hot chocolate lingered in the air. I found a new book "My Prairie Cookbook" by Melissa Gilbert based on The Little House on the Prairie series. Then I found the book I was after Biggest Loser Bootcamp. On a lark I asked about a new copy of Bella Grace. (see previous posts) It was there, one copy!!! The trip to Barnes and Noble turned into a joyful adventure.
My next plan of action was to visit the grocery store for healthy foods only! I planned to clean the fridge and replace ALL the rich goodies of Christmas with healthy foods only. The grocery store turned into another adventure! I walked slowly through the produce for just the right fruits and vegetables to tempt me and build creative recipes. On to the fish counter for salmon and shrimp and finally to dairy for Greek yogurt, eggs, and fat free 1/2 and 1/2. My cart was full of only healthy choices and my head was reeling with great ideas.
The drive home was so joyful and I could hardly wait to get home! I arrived home to darkness except for the tree lights. It was homey and comforting! I put on an apron. (first time since I was a kid with Grandma) It belonged to my friend, Cathy's mom. I love it, soft pink and white gingham with a turquoise cross stitch design. I've decided to collect old aprons again. Made me feel very capable, a homemaker for the first time in a long time (almost 35 years). My field in high school and when I started college was home ec. and I had forgotten those simple pleasures and feelings of accomplishment!
I cleaned the fridge, pulled out the food, and decided on a recipe from Martha Stewart.com on Pinterest. I loved watching the butter sizzle, chopping the celery, carrots and onion, and the earthly smell. Simple pleasures for all my senses! While the soup was simmering I started reading the Bella Grace magazine. The first article is about silence and the only sound I hear is the fridge. I realize how much I am enjoying the quiet and the cooking and the magazine and how it is all touching my soul!!!!
The soup is earthy, homey and satisfying. I have accomplished something new and I am blissfully happy!! My new epiphany -- enjoy simple pleasures and homemaking!
+++ We are no longer taught to appreciate homemaking and that is a shame. It is probably one of the most gratifying feelings of accomplishment I have felt in a long time.
Leon fixed a PreChristmas dinner of turkey, dressing, cranberry relish (my favorite), potatoes, and of course pumpkin pie. You have to understand that this is a small endeavor compared to his feasts in the past. Anyway, I asked for the broth from the turkey and the dark meat (again my favorite) but had no idea what I would do with them.
For the last few days I have cruised Pinterest and finally decided it would be a soup. Now I have only made soup once in my life, French Onion and a total disaster! The other points of interest were the dull rainy day, reading a health magazine and posting to a new Pinterest board called Goals for 2015.
I had stayed in a Bah Humbug mood long enough and decided some action was needed. It was dusk and very dreary but my mood instantly changed when I entered Barnes and Noble for a book on dieting inspiration. Lights were bright, people were laughing and the slight scent of coffee/hot chocolate lingered in the air. I found a new book "My Prairie Cookbook" by Melissa Gilbert based on The Little House on the Prairie series. Then I found the book I was after Biggest Loser Bootcamp. On a lark I asked about a new copy of Bella Grace. (see previous posts) It was there, one copy!!! The trip to Barnes and Noble turned into a joyful adventure.
My next plan of action was to visit the grocery store for healthy foods only! I planned to clean the fridge and replace ALL the rich goodies of Christmas with healthy foods only. The grocery store turned into another adventure! I walked slowly through the produce for just the right fruits and vegetables to tempt me and build creative recipes. On to the fish counter for salmon and shrimp and finally to dairy for Greek yogurt, eggs, and fat free 1/2 and 1/2. My cart was full of only healthy choices and my head was reeling with great ideas.
The drive home was so joyful and I could hardly wait to get home! I arrived home to darkness except for the tree lights. It was homey and comforting! I put on an apron. (first time since I was a kid with Grandma) It belonged to my friend, Cathy's mom. I love it, soft pink and white gingham with a turquoise cross stitch design. I've decided to collect old aprons again. Made me feel very capable, a homemaker for the first time in a long time (almost 35 years). My field in high school and when I started college was home ec. and I had forgotten those simple pleasures and feelings of accomplishment!
I cleaned the fridge, pulled out the food, and decided on a recipe from Martha Stewart.com on Pinterest. I loved watching the butter sizzle, chopping the celery, carrots and onion, and the earthly smell. Simple pleasures for all my senses! While the soup was simmering I started reading the Bella Grace magazine. The first article is about silence and the only sound I hear is the fridge. I realize how much I am enjoying the quiet and the cooking and the magazine and how it is all touching my soul!!!!
The soup is earthy, homey and satisfying. I have accomplished something new and I am blissfully happy!! My new epiphany -- enjoy simple pleasures and homemaking!
+++ We are no longer taught to appreciate homemaking and that is a shame. It is probably one of the most gratifying feelings of accomplishment I have felt in a long time.
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